Freedom Aquatic and Fitness Center offers exciting off-site summer camps for children of all ages.
Just a few of the options available for older children are rock climbing, kayak fishing, mountain biking and natural adventures camps.
On the first day of rock climbing camp, campers spend their time on The Edge, a team development course, that teaches them how to get comfortable with wearing a harness, belaying, and acting together as one unit.
Once activities begin, some campers may be hiking while another group is climbing. This strategy keeps the children moving and prevents idleness and boredom throughout the day.
On the rare rainy or hot days that prevents climbing outside, Freedom Center takes children to Vertical Rock, where children can climb.
In the kayak fishing camp, campers travel all around the area to kayak fish at Bull Run, Fountainhead, and the Shenandoah, Rappahannock, and Rapidan rivers. Freedom Center works with the Virginia Outside and Fishing Company to lead the ship and teach the children valuable fishing skills.
Camp counselors will still accompany campers to these locations. Many campers come with no previous fishing experience and develop an excitement and a passion for being outdoors and learning how to fish. Plus, they can learn how to safely kayak.
Rock climbing and paintball are the most popular outdoor camps that the Freedom Center offers. This year, Freedom added a camp for their younger “peewee paintballers.”
Different material is used to prevent injury and the painful sting normally common with paintballing. It’s an excellent program to get children familiar with paintball and to get them excited. Even if a camper only does it once a year with his or her family, Freedom’s paintball camp is a great starter.
As with on-site camps, Freedom Center employs the best-certified instructors off-site. When participating in these camps, children can be in environments they wouldn’t normally have access to on a regular basis. The campers are normally outside all day and during their first week, those five days of adventure are spent learning skills that they would otherwise gain once they were older.
Also, campers are in smaller groups of between 12-15 children quickly form close and valuable relationships with each other. They practice leadership skills and working in a team while camp counselors make sure they act and bond as one unit successfully.
Early on at the beginning of the camp, counselors ensure that older children are learning how to trust and respect one another. Developing these skills is especially important for rock climbing.
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Icy Conditions Possible Wednesday Night – A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Prince William County from 9 p.m. Wednesday to Noon Thursday, with freezing rain and sleet expected. VDOT crews are treating roads, but travel may be hazardous. Limit travel, prepare for icy spots, and stay updated on changing conditions.
The Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted Tuesday to cancel the long-debated Route 28 Bypass Project, ending years of planning and millions of dollars in studies and design work. The decision, which passed with a 5-3 vote, came after a contentious debate over the feasibility and cost of the project.
Initially estimated to cost more than $200 million, the road would have connected with Route 28 at a signalized intersection north of Bull Run Stream in Fairfax County. The plan to build the road, Alternative 2B, was the top recommendation from the 2017 Route 28 Corridor Feasibility Study. The project had received $89 million in funding from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) as part of a broader effort to improve the county’s transportation infrastructure.
County transportation director Rick Canizales confirmed that the estimated cost had grown beyond available funding, requiring an additional $80–$100 million to proceed. “After taking all this into consideration and doing all the design work that we’ve done at this point, we come to the board and let you know that as staff, we believe that alternative 2B is not viable because we don’t have enough money and we don’t have enough support in some of the challenges we’re facing,” Canizales said.
For the first time, Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis Younger sat down for an exclusive interview with Potomac Local News as she begins her second term. In a candid conversation, she addressed the city’s stance on immigration enforcement, the future of development in downtown Manassas, the impact of potential state and federal funding cuts, and her vision for the next four years.
What’s next for Manassas? Will taxes go up? How will the city navigate potential financial challenges? And what’s her take on the now-canceled Route 28 Bypass project?
Get the full story in tomorrow’s edition—only on Potomac Local News. Stay tuned!
The Northern Virginia real estate market is shifting, with demand growing in Prince William, Stafford, Manassas, and Fredericksburg, outpacing Fairfax County. Mark Worrilow, a real estate expert with Fathom Realty, attributes this to affordability, improved commuting options, and enhanced quality of life. Homebuyers find better value in these areas without sacrificing convenience. Inventory is rising, offering more options for buyers, though competition remains strong. Interest rates have stabilized, leading more buyers to enter the market. Worrilow emphasizes the importance of working with an experienced realtor to navigate these trends and make informed real estate decisions in this evolving market.
Travel to French soil and join us for a night filled with two of the most beloved French traditions—no plane ticket required! ?
On January 25th, we invite you to experience the magic of Galette des Rois, a 700-year-old tradition celebrated across France throughout the entire month of January (and even beyond!). This sweet, almond-filled puff pastry topped with a golden crown isn’t just a treat—it’s a celebration! The lucky person who finds the fève (a porcelain charm hidden in one of the slices) becomes the King or Queen for the Day, and don’t worry—there will be plenty of royalty to go around! ??
But that’s not all! In France, Les Voeux (New Year’s wishes) continue throughout January, often accompanied by Champagne and good cheer. We’re bringing that festive spirit to you, with a lively evening packed with French food, wine, and music.
What’s in store:
Experience the passion and drama of Puccini’s “The Girl from the Golden West”.
Featuring special guest musicians from The Chesapeake Youth Orchestra,
this performance brings Puccini’s masterpiece to life with an extraordinary cast.
